What Is Pass Interference in Football

Pass interference can be one of the most confusing calls in football. You see a deep pass, two players tangle, a flag flies, and suddenly the ball moves down the field. Why? What exactly happened, and how do officials decide? This guide is a simple, friendly walk-through of what pass interference is, why it exists, how it is called at different levels (NFL, college, and high school), and how players and coaches can avoid it. By the end, you will know what to watch for on game day and why a flag does or does not come out on those big plays.

The Simple Idea: What Pass Interference Means

In plain words, pass interference is illegal contact that stops or clearly hinders a player from having a fair chance to catch a forward pass that travels beyond the line of scrimmage. Either the defense or the offense can commit it. The rule exists to make sure both players have an honest shot at the football when it is in the air, without being pulled, pushed, blocked, or run into in a way that ruins the chance to catch it.

Think of it like this: once the ball is thrown downfield, the ball belongs to both the receiver and the defender. Each is allowed to go for it, but neither is allowed to use unfair contact to prevent the other from making a play. A little contact is normal when two athletes compete for space. Pass interference is about contact that meaningfully takes away a catching opportunity.

When Does Pass Interference Apply?

Pass must cross the line of scrimmage

Pass interference rules only apply on a legal forward pass that crosses the line of scrimmage. On quick screens and swing passes that are caught behind the line of scrimmage, you will not see pass interference. Instead, if there is illegal contact on those plays, it is judged under other rules like holding or blocking fouls. This is a key detail that explains why “pick plays” are often legal on screens behind the line.

If you remember only one thing about timing, remember this: no downfield pass, no pass interference. That alone clears up many sideline debates.

Before the pass is thrown vs. while it is in the air

Before the quarterback releases the ball, defenders can make some contact within the rules to disrupt routes, and offenses can fight through it. In the NFL there is a special foul called illegal contact if a defender contacts a receiver more than five yards downfield while the ball is still in the quarterback’s hand. In college and high school there is no “five-yard illegal contact” rule, but defenders still cannot hold, grab, or push.

Once the ball is in the air on a pass that goes beyond the line of scrimmage, special interference restrictions begin for both sides. From that moment until the ball arrives or is touched, neither player can significantly hinder the other’s chance to catch the ball.

Defensive Pass Interference (DPI)

What it looks like on the field

Common defensive pass interference actions include grabbing or hooking a receiver’s arm so they cannot raise their hands, pulling the jersey to slow the receiver, cutting across the body too early and hitting the receiver before the ball arrives, or going “through the back” of the receiver to get to the ball. An “arm bar” that pins the receiver’s inside arm is another classic example because it blocks a normal attempt to reach for the pass.

Defensive pass interference does not require a violent collision. If the contact meaningfully restricts the receiver’s ability to make the catch, even a small tug can be enough. Officials judge whether the contact created a real disadvantage, not whether the receiver fell down.

What the defense is still allowed to do

Defenders can “play the ball.” If a defender turns and looks for the football, makes a genuine attempt to catch or bat it, and any contact is incidental to that honest attempt, it is often considered legal. Light “hand fighting” where both players are jostling equally, without grabbing or restricting, is usually allowed too. Simply not looking back is not a foul by itself; it becomes a foul if the defender does not look back and then makes significant contact that prevents a fair catch.

Timing is everything. If the defender and the ball arrive almost at the same time, and the contact is the natural result of a competitive play on the ball, officials usually keep the flag in their pocket. If the defender hits clearly early, the flag is likely coming.

Catchability and tipped passes

There is no defensive pass interference if the pass is judged uncatchable. If the ball is thrown way over everyone’s head or far out of reach, contact downfield may still be a different foul (like holding), but it is not DPI. “Uncatchable” is a judgment call by the officials and sometimes leads to sideline debates, yet the idea is straightforward: if no one could reasonably catch it, you cannot have interference.

There is also no pass interference after the ball is touched. If a pass is tipped by a player or an official before downfield contact occurs, the special interference restrictions end. This often happens on passes tipped at the line of scrimmage. However, if the contact happened before the tip, you can still have a foul. The critical question is whether the contact occurred before or after the touch.

Special cases: back-shoulder throws and underthrows

Back-shoulder throws and underthrown deep balls often trick defenders. When a receiver stops or breaks back and the defender continues running through them, that hard contact can look like normal coverage. But if the defender does not play the ball and runs through the receiver’s body, it is usually DPI because it blocks the receiver’s move to the catch point.

Good defenders anticipate these throws by turning their head sooner, easing up as the receiver slows, and using their near arm to feel for the receiver’s chest while keeping their far arm free to play the ball. If they grab or collide early without looking back, the risk of a flag is high.

What about Hail Mary passes?

On Hail Mary plays, you often see a crowd and plenty of contact. While the rules do not change, officials typically apply a “big picture” standard and allow more minor hand fighting because so many players are in the same space. Serious grabs, clear pushes that create big separation, or obvious early contact still draw flags. The philosophy is to avoid deciding the game on soft contact in chaos, but a clear takedown is still a foul.

Offensive Pass Interference (OPI)

What counts as OPI

Offensive pass interference happens when the receiver (or any eligible offensive player) uses illegal contact to create separation or to block a defender downfield before the ball arrives on a pass beyond the line of scrimmage. Common OPI examples include a push-off that extends the arm and creates space, picking or screening a defender to free a teammate on a pass downfield, or driving into a defender to prevent them from making a play on the ball.

A subtle hand check that does not create meaningful separation is usually okay. The key is whether the action gives the offense an unfair advantage by physically moving the defender out of the way or preventing a fair play on the ball.

Pick plays and rub routes

Teams love using “rub” routes where two receivers cross paths to force defenders to navigate traffic. If the route design and execution cause incidental contact while both receivers are running genuine routes, officials often allow it. But if a receiver clearly seeks out a defender and initiates contact to block them and free a teammate on a pass downfield, that is usually OPI. It is the difference between running a real route and acting like a blocker before the ball arrives.

Smart offenses run rub concepts tightly and precisely so that the crossing naturally creates confusion without active blocking. If the “pick” looks like a block, expect a flag.

Screens behind the line of scrimmage

On screen passes caught behind the line of scrimmage, blocking by receivers is allowed. Because there is no pass interference on throws caught behind the line, receivers can legally engage defenders once the ball is snapped, as long as they block within the rules. This is why many quick screens feature receivers immediately blocking the nearest defender, and it draws no OPI flag.

The moment the pass goes beyond the line of scrimmage, however, those blocks become risky. If a receiver engages a defender downfield to clear space for a pass that will be caught beyond the line, it can become OPI.

Penalties and Yardage by Level

NFL

In the NFL, defensive pass interference is a spot foul and results in an automatic first down. If the foul occurs in the defense’s end zone, the ball is placed at the 1-yard line. This is why you sometimes see long bombs on third-and-very-long; even an incomplete pass can move the ball a huge distance if DPI is called.

Offensive pass interference in the NFL is a 10-yard penalty from the previous spot. It does not carry a loss of down, but the offense loses yardage and must replay the down unless other factors apply. Note that if both DPI and OPI occur on the same play, the fouls offset and the down is replayed.

College (NCAA)

In college football, defensive pass interference is a 15-yard penalty from the previous spot and gives the offense an automatic first down. There is no spot-foul DPI in NCAA like in the NFL, which reduces the extreme yardage swings on deep throws. Still, on third down, it moves the chains and is a significant penalty.

Offensive pass interference in college is a 15-yard penalty from the previous spot. That is a steep price and is meant to discourage push-offs and downfield blocking on passes beyond the line of scrimmage.

High school

In high school football, defensive pass interference is typically a 15-yard penalty from the previous spot and results in a first down for the offense. Local rule sets can vary slightly, but this is the common enforcement. Offensive pass interference is also usually 15 yards. Because the fields and athletes are the same size as higher levels but the skills vary, this structure helps keep the game balanced and fair.

One more note for high school fans: interpretations like “face-guarding” can vary by rule set over time. Many areas now require actual contact for DPI, similar to college and pro. If you follow a specific state association, check its annual rules update for the latest language.

Declining or accepting the penalty

The team that did not commit the foul gets to choose whether to accept or decline the penalty. If the offense completes a long pass and the defense is also flagged for DPI, the offense often declines the penalty and keeps the catch if the gain is bigger. If the catch is short and the DPI would place the ball farther downfield (spot in the NFL or 15 yards in college/high school), the offense accepts the penalty instead. You cannot have both the catch and the full penalty distance; you must choose the better result.

Key Differences vs. Other Fouls

Illegal contact (NFL only)

In the NFL, illegal contact is a 5-yard penalty and an automatic first down. It happens when a defender makes significant contact with a receiver more than five yards downfield while the ball is still in the quarterback’s hands. Once the ball is released, illegal contact ends and pass interference rules begin. This rule does not exist in college or high school, where contact is judged under holding or DPI without a strict five-yard limit.

Understanding this prevents confusion when you see a flag on a play where the ball never even left the quarterback’s hand. That is not pass interference; it is illegal contact in the NFL.

Defensive holding

Defensive holding is different from pass interference. It happens before the pass arrives, and it usually involves grabbing or restricting a receiver’s movement during the route. In the NFL it is a 5-yard penalty and an automatic first down. In college and high school, it is enforced with their own yardage and first-down rules. If the contact materially affects the catch point when the ball is in the air, it shifts from holding to DPI. Officials decide which foul best describes the action.

If you see a jersey tug that starts early and continues into the catch point, it can become DPI once the ball is airborne. If the tug ends well before the throw and only affects the route, it is more likely to be holding.

Ineligible receiver downfield vs. OPI

Sometimes people confuse offensive pass interference with ineligible receiver downfield. They are not the same. Ineligible receiver downfield penalizes offensive linemen (and sometimes other ineligible players) who move too far downfield before a pass that is ultimately thrown beyond the line of scrimmage. Offensive pass interference is about illegal contact to free a receiver or push off. Both can ruin a play, but they protect different parts of the passing game.

On run-pass option plays, offenses must be careful. If linemen drift downfield and the quarterback throws a pass beyond the line, it can trigger an ineligible downfield foul even if no one interferes illegally.

What Officials Look For

Eyes and head position

Officials often read the defender’s head and eyes. A defender who turns to locate the ball is more likely to get the benefit of the doubt on close contact, because they are making a legitimate play on the ball. A defender who never looks back and collides with the receiver is at greater risk of a DPI call. However, turning the head is not a free pass. If the defender still restricts the receiver or arrives early, it can still be DPI.

For receivers, officials watch for the extension of the arm. A clear push that creates separation, especially near the catch point, often draws OPI. If hands are close and the contact is equal both ways, it may be considered normal hand fighting.

Early contact and the receiver’s arms

One of the simplest tells for DPI is whether the receiver’s arms can rise naturally to catch the ball. If a defender grabs a wrist, hooks an elbow, pins an arm, or hits through the back so the receiver cannot reach up, that is classic interference. The goal is not to eliminate all physical play but to protect the right to attempt a catch with both hands.

Officials also consider whether the contact changes the receiver’s path into the ball. If the defender’s body bumps the receiver clearly off the route just as the pass arrives, and it prevents a catch, it is likely DPI.

Playing through the back vs. arriving with the ball

“Through the back” means the defender contacts the receiver’s back or shoulder significantly before getting to the ball. This is almost always DPI. By contrast, if the ball and defender arrive simultaneously and the defender is trying to catch or break up the pass without controlling the receiver, the play may be legal. The difference can be inches and milliseconds, which is why this call can be difficult in real time.

Slow-motion replays on TV can make slight delays look obvious, but officials must judge at full speed. Their focus is on whether the contact truly prevented a fair catch before the ball arrived.

Face-guarding

Face-guarding means a defender screens the receiver’s eyes without contacting them. In the NFL and college, face-guarding alone is not a foul; there must be illegal contact to have DPI. In some high school rule sets, interpretations have changed over time, and many now also require contact. If you are watching a local high school game, check your association’s current guidelines.

This point helps explain why you sometimes see a defender wave a hand in front of a receiver’s face with no flag. If there is no contact and the defender does not restrict the receiver’s arms or body, it is often legal.

The signal and the “advantage” idea

The official’s pass interference signal looks like a forward pushing motion with both arms extended from the chest. Behind that signal is a simple idea: did the contact create an unfair advantage that affected the catch? If yes, throw the flag. If no, let the play stand. This “advantage” concept guides officials on both close DPI and OPI calls.

Because so much hinges on advantage, context matters. A tiny grab 30 yards from the ball might not matter. The same grab at the catch point likely will. Officials are trying to keep the game fair, not call every brush of contact.

Ten Real-World Examples

Imagine a deep go route where the defender never looks back and hits the receiver in the chest a beat before the ball arrives. That is defensive pass interference. The contact was early and took away the chance to catch.

Picture a comeback route where the receiver stops and the defender runs through the receiver’s back without attempting to play the ball. That is also DPI. The defender’s momentum does not excuse the contact.

Think of a jump ball where both players go up and their arms fight for position. There is some contact, but neither player is restricted. They both try to catch it. That is usually a no-call. Equal contest is allowed.

Consider a slant route where the inside receiver intentionally collides with the defender to spring a teammate on an out route, and the pass goes beyond the line. That is offensive pass interference because the contact was a downfield block, not a route.

Envision a quick bubble screen caught behind the line. The outside receiver blocks the corner right away, and the ball carrier runs behind. That is legal. There is no pass interference behind the line of scrimmage.

Picture a defender tugging a jersey lightly five yards into the route, the quarterback has not thrown yet, and the receiver breaks free before the catch point. That might be defensive holding (or illegal contact in the NFL) rather than DPI, because the pass was not yet airborne or the restriction ended before the catch.

Imagine a deep pass that is tipped at the line by a defensive lineman, then two players bump downfield. Because the tip happened first, there is no DPI or OPI for the bump that follows, though other fouls could still apply.

Consider a receiver who extends the arm fully at the last moment to push the defender and create clear space before making the catch. Even with a great catch, that push-off is offensive pass interference.

Picture a defender who turns to look for the ball, jumps, and makes slight shoulder-to-shoulder contact as he swats the pass away. If the receiver’s arms are not restricted and the contact is incidental to playing the ball, officials often keep the flag in the pocket.

Imagine a fade route toward the end zone where the defender grabs the receiver’s wrist so the receiver cannot lift both hands. The ball lands just out of reach. That is almost always DPI, and in the NFL it can place the ball at the 1-yard line if it occurs in the end zone.

Tips for Players and Coaches

For defensive backs

Find the ball early. Turn your head in time so you can make a real play on the ball. Use the near hand to feel the receiver’s chest or hip and the far hand to attack the ball. Keep your off hand off the jersey; even small tugs can look obvious. Practice “late hands”: watch the receiver’s hands and punch through the pocket at the last moment instead of climbing through the back.

Manage speed on underthrows and back-shoulder throws. If the receiver pulls up, do not run blindly through their body. Settle your feet, locate the ball, and play over the top. Know the situation. On third-and-long, a careless collision is worse than giving up a short catch in front of you.

For receivers

Win with your feet and body position rather than extended arms. If you need space, use subtle leverage and hand placement rather than a clear push-off. Sell your route. When running rub concepts, aim for natural traffic, not blocks. Keep your hands inside and let defenders run into you rather than initiating contact.

At the catch point, go up strong and show the officials your arms were restricted if you were held. Running through contact with balance can earn you both the catch and the flag, but never rely on a call; expect to make the play.

For quarterbacks and play callers

Throw with anticipation so receivers do not have to slow and invite collisions. On back-shoulder throws, give enough room for the receiver to come back without being run over. Use formations and motions to create free releases rather than risking heavy contact at the line. On third-and-long, remember the strategic value of forcing a decision downfield; a well-placed shot can draw DPI, but it should be part of a balanced plan, not a bailout on every drive.

Design rub routes with legal spacing and timing. Coach receivers to “run through the defender’s hip pocket” rather than blocking. On screens, keep the catch behind the line so your blockers can work freely without OPI risk.

Replay and Challenges

NFL review policy

The NFL briefly allowed pass interference to be reviewed by replay in a past season, but that experiment ended. Today, pass interference is generally not reviewable by coach’s challenge or booth review. Replay may confirm certain objective facts, like whether a pass was tipped or where the ball was when contact occurred on close line-of-scrimmage situations, but it does not re-judge typical DPI or OPI judgments.

Because traditional review is limited on interference, crews aim to get good on-field looks, and officials work together to confirm who saw what. Sideline and deep wing officials often combine views on contested plays.

College and high school

In college football, pass interference is also not a standard replay review item. Replay can assist with items like whether the ball was touched or whether a catch was completed, but not with re-officiating typical contact judgments. High school replay usage is rare and depends on state and event; most games rely solely on the on-field crew.

This means understanding how interference is called in real time is more useful to fans and players than hoping for a replay change. Technique and discipline matter more than video in avoiding flags.

What replay can change

Even when interference is not directly reviewable, replay can still affect outcomes by confirming a tipped pass at the line, changing the line-to-gain or spot of the foul, or overturning a catch/no-catch that determines whether a penalty is declined or accepted. These indirect adjustments can swing field position even without replaying the interference judgment itself.

On rare plays where multiple elements are intertwined, the crew will sort the sequence: whether the ball was tipped, when contact occurred, and whether the pass crossed the line. Getting the sequence right is crucial because it decides which rules apply.

Common Myths and FAQs

Myth: If the defender never looks back, it is automatically DPI. Reality: Not looking back increases risk, but it is only a foul if contact significantly hinders the receiver. A defender can legally break up a pass with perfect timing even without turning, if the contact is incidental.

Myth: Any contact at the catch point is DPI. Reality: Football is a contact sport. Equal hand fighting and shoulder-to-shoulder collisions where both go for the ball are often legal. The issue is unfair restriction, not any contact at all.

Myth: Face-guarding is always a penalty. Reality: In the NFL and college, face-guarding without contact is not DPI. High school rules have evolved, and many now also require contact. Know your level’s current rule.

Myth: On deep shots, the offense is guaranteed a flag. Reality: Officials look for advantage and timing. If the receiver initiates a push-off or both players are fighting equally, a no-call is common, even on big plays.

Question: Can there be pass interference on a screen pass? Answer: No, not if the ball is caught behind the line of scrimmage. Downfield interference only applies on passes that cross the line.

Question: What if both players interfere? Answer: If both sides commit interference on the same play, the fouls offset and the down is replayed. Officials try to be precise about who initiated and who restricted to avoid unfairly punishing clean competition.

Quick Glossary

Pass interference: Illegal contact that unfairly prevents a player from catching a forward pass beyond the line of scrimmage. It can be called on the defense (DPI) or the offense (OPI).

Illegal contact (NFL): Contact by a defender more than five yards downfield before the pass is thrown. It is not pass interference and carries a different penalty.

Defensive holding: Grabbing or restricting a receiver during the route before the pass arrives. It is different from DPI, which occurs while the ball is in the air.

Pick/rub: Route concepts where receivers cross paths. Legal if contact is incidental and routes are real; illegal OPI if a receiver purposefully blocks a defender on a pass downfield.

Uncatchable: A pass judged too far off target for a reasonable catch. Interference is not called if the pass is uncatchable, though other fouls could still apply.

Conclusion

Pass interference is about fairness at the catch point. Once the ball is in the air on a pass beyond the line of scrimmage, both players have equal rights to go get it, and neither side can use illegal contact to tilt the odds. Defensive pass interference often involves early hits, grabs, and arm restrictions. Offensive pass interference frequently involves push-offs or downfield blocking to free a teammate. The exact penalties differ by level—spot foul with an automatic first down in the NFL, and 15 yards with a first down in college and most high school play—but the heart of the rule is the same everywhere.

When you watch the next game, focus on timing, catchability, and whether either player was truly restricted from making a fair play on the ball. If the defender plays through the back or the receiver shoves off to create space, expect a flag. If both compete for the ball with only incidental contact, the play likely stands. With that simple lens, the chaos of deep passes becomes much clearer, and you will understand why the official’s arm starts that familiar pushing motion—or stays down as the crowd roars.